Cut-out for trolley-conductors.



N0. 764,400. PATENTEDJULY 5, 1904. P. G. WATMOUGH, J11.

OUT-OUT FOR TROLLEY GONDUGTORS. APPLIOATIOH FILED NOV.1, 1 01. no menu. 2 snnnrs-snnzr 1.

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UNITED STATES Patented July 5, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

PEN DLETON G. WATMOUGH, JR, OF SCI-IENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

CUT-OUT FOR TROLLEYGONDUOTQRS- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,400, dated July 5, 1904.

Application filed November 1, 1901. Serial No. 80,718. (No model.)

To all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, PENDLETON G. WAT- MOUGH, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cut- Outs for Trolley-Conductors, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to assure the safety of the public from damage by broken trolley-wires. Such a provision is particularly necessary in the case of alternating systems employing high-potential currents.

In carrying out my invention I provide a sectional trolley wire each subdivision of which is connected with a high-potential feeder through a suitable switch,such as an oil-switch, the several sections being kept under tension by a weight or equivalent device, which falls or is retracted when the wire breaks and opens the switch contacts. 1 preferably mount the switch and tension devices on a post or trellis at a point intermediate the ends of the section, the Wire being carried at right angles to its length and connected with a weight. I provide also a means for permitting the trolley-wire to move lengthwise in case it breaks by supporting it in hangers which loosely inclose it.

The novel features of the invention will be more particularly hereinafter described and will be definitely indicated in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cut-out embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the supporting-post or trellis, showing the mode of mounting the switch. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail of a guide-bracket for leading the trolley-wire to the tension device. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of such a bracket, showing a trolley in engagement with it. Fig. 5 is a support or hanger for the trolleywire. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the same,

and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the sectional arrangement of the trolley-wire and its connections with the feeder.

Referring first to Fig. 7, which shows the arrangement of the trolley-wire, 1 1 1 represent wire sections, and 2 span-wires fastened to the wire at intermediate portions of each section. Suitable insulating-couplings are or may be employed between the several sections. Each section is carried around a guidebracket, such as that shown in Figs. 3 and 4, said bracket beinga casting having curved side Walls 3 3 to carry the trolley-wire 17 at right angles to its length and permit it to be kept under tension by a heavy weight 4- (See Fig. 1.) The bracket is provided with a straight edge 5, serving to guide the trolley, and with ears 6 6 6", to which may be fastened guy -Wl1'GS to support it in position. The trolley-wire may be passed over a pulley connected with the weight, as shown in Fig. 1, by forming a simple loop, or it may be cut in two and the two ends passed around the guide-bracket and connected to the weight. The loop or lateral extension of the wire is carried over a fixed guide-sheave 7, mounted on the top of the trellis or post. The weight is mounted. so as to slide in a true path. Some distance below its normal position is supported on the trellis or post an oil-switch 8, consisting of a fluid-tight reservoir containing oil, fixed contacts, and movable contacts, as usual in such devices, the latter being connected by a bell-crank lever and connecting-rod with an operating-lever 9, projecting into the path of movement of the weight. Thus if the trolley wire breaks the Weight is freed, the wire sliding through the hangers 10, and the weight accumulating momentum in its fall and striking against the operating-lever 9 opens the switch, thereby disconnecting the feeder from the trolleywire, connection with which is normally maintained by means of the leads 11 11*.

The hangers, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, may be provided with supporting-ears 12 in the usual or any approved manner, a sheetmetal stirrup 13 being fastened to the lower part of the hanger by means of cotter-pins 1 1 14:. The sheet-metal stirrup is bent so as to make a loose fit with thetrolley-wire to the end that the latter may freely slide through it in case it breaks, thereby permitting the weight to fall and operate the switch.

15 15 15 in Fig. 1 represent the guywires which secure the guide-bracket in position, and 16 represents the hightension feeder, which is carried along the line of way and insulated in any suitable manner.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. Asafety cut-out for trolley-circuits comprising a guide-bracket for leading oif a lateral branch of the section, a movable trip device connected to the conductor, a switch interposed between the feeder and trolleywire, and an operating device for said switch in the path of movement of the tripping device.

2. A trolley system comprising sectional trolley-Wires, hangers having a sliding relation to the wire, a loop for each section intermediate its ends and a guiding device therefor, and a high-tension switch having a tripping device operated by the movement of the parts if the conductor breaks or yields, in a direction to disconnect the trolley from the feeder.

3. A trolley system comprising a sectional trolley-wire, a guiding device for leading off a lateral branch, a switch between a wire section and a feeder, a support for the switch, and a weight at the support for holding the conductor under tension movable in a line to open the switch whereby the trolley-section is rendered dead when it gives way.

4:. A safety cut-out for high-tension conductors consisting of a loop in the conductor and a guiding device therefor, a sheave over which said loop passes, a high-tension switch operating to break the circuit in the conductor, and a movable tripping device for said switch attached to said sheave and shifted by the movement of the parts when the conductor yields or breaks.

5. A safety cut-out for trolley system, comprising sectional trolley-wires, a loop in each section and a guide-bracket therefor, aweight at each loop for holding the conductor under tension, and a switch operated by the falling of the weight when the conductor yields or breaks to disconnect the trolley-section from the feeder.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of October, 1901.

PENDLETON G. WATMOUGH, JR.

Witnesses:

BENJAMIN BeHnLL, ALEX. F. MACDONALD. 

